Football & Basketball Camps

Not too good since it was with my cell phone but I did not
want to embarrass Sam. 

Sam spent his first week off of school at football and basketball camp while Ella and I spent our first week as a taxi service.  It was a lot of driving him back and forth but he really enjoyed them both which made it all worth it.  At least to me, I'm not sure if Ella liked that football started at 8:00 in the morning.  Both camps were held at Fr. Tolton High School here in Columbia.  He liked learning new skills and loved hanging out with the high school boys helping out with the camps.  I also liked that Fr. Tolton gave him a little Catholic education too.  They prayed at the end of each football session, talked about being good to one another, and the shirts even have a bible verse for them to focus on while they play.  I am guessing this will definitely make the list of activities for next summer. 

Hurray for Summer!

Last Friday was the kids last day of school.  While they both had good school years,they were excited for school to be over and summer to begin!  

This picture was taken before school.  After school we headed to Andy's for some frozen custard with friends and celebrated the end of another school year. 

Mustache Mania!

I am not sure what this new fascination is with mustaches.  You see them given out at parties, on kids' valentines, as photo props, etc.  Well, my kids are in on the trend! We had our annual neighborhood association meeting this week.  In order to encourage families to attend they have a dinner, open the pool, have snow cones, a bounce house and face painting.  Ella and Sam loved every minute of it and even got in the pool despite the colder temperatures.  The photo is of them with their face painted mustaches being silly.  

Macaroni & Monkey Bars

Ella's class went on a field trip this last week.  The first stop of the day was Texas Roadhouse.  The kids got to tour the kitchen, play nutrition bingo, climb on a saddle and play with chalk on the floor.  They had a fun time running around and then ate some lunch.  Ella's choice for the day was macaroni and cheese and french fries. 
After the restaurant they headed over to Cosmo Park.  It is a great park but many other school groups had the same idea so it was packed!  The kids had to wait in line to do everything but they didn't seem to mind.  They had a fun afternoon running around and the weather was perfect.  Ella mostly played on the monkey bars and the glider with a few of her friends.  She is a monkey bar expert and flies across with ease! She had a great time.  

Getting ready to eat with friends! 

Playing with chalk on the restaurant floor.

Ride 'em cow girl!

See Saw time at the park.

Ella loved the glider! 

Congratulations Ellie!

Last weekend we headed down to Rogersville to celebrate Ellie's high school graduation.  We began the festivities with an open house on Saturday night.  It was nice to hang out with family and see one of John's cousins and aunt that we do not get to see that often.  The kids had fun just playing in the backyard and hanging out with their cousins.  Sunday morning we got together for an early lunch at Lambert's and ate way too much food.  It is hard to say no to the delicious rolls and fried potatoes.  
Ellie's actual graduation ceremony was not until Sunday evening so we did not attend.  With a three hour drive back to Columbia and two kids that needed to be in bed since they had school in the morning, it just did not seem wise.  We are so proud of Ellie and excited for all the opportunities that college brings. 

Ellie with the gift card bouquet we got her.  I was pretty proud of it and more importantly I think she really liked it. 

Ella, Ellie and Sam outside of Lambert's.

Field Day

On Thursday, the kids celebrated Field Day!  At Rock Bridge it is a half day activity.  The older kids participate in the morning and the younger kids in the afternoon.  They get to play games and rotate from station to station, like at Hickory (Sam's old school).  Unfortunately, mother nature was not real cooperative on Thursday morning.  I think the older kids still enjoyed themselves though despite the rain and colder temperatures.  I was in charge of a game and had a good time watching all the groups come through.  Luckily, one of the teachers loaned me her jacket for the morning or I would have been soaked.  As it was, my shoes were squishy and my hair wet but I was able to keep mostly dry.  The kids on the other hand were drenched.  Sam says his favorite game of the morning was one where they had sponges and had to squeeze the water out into a two liter on someone's head.  The team with their bottle filled the highest was the winner.

For the afternoon the moved the games inside and limited the kids to just four activities so they could get all three grades through the gym.  Ella was a little disappointed that Field Day was shortened but still enjoyed her time.  Since there were fewer games I was able to walk around with her class which was a lot of fun!  Her favorite game was a relay where you have to run clothes to a person on your team and dress them.  They looked pretty cute in all the clothing.  

It was a good day and a nice break from the normal school routine.  The kids all got Andy's custard to finish off their games which was a real special treat. 

Sam getting ready to play the elephant walk game.

Ella and some of her friends being silly at Field Day! 

Welcome Cameron!

On May 2nd, Christy and Dale welcomed their new baby into the world.  Cameron Robert was born at 3:59 in the morning.  He was a little guy at 6 pounds 10 ounces.  We could not wait until Saturday to head to Kansas City to meet him.  Unfortunately, John was on call that weekend but hopefully we can make it back soon so he can have a chance to hold his new nephew.   
Getting to hold Cameron was the highlight of the day for the three Medleys able to make the trip.  We all wanted Cameron to ourselves.  Each of us was always wanting a turn and never quite ready for our turn to be over yet.  Luckily, Ella or Sam would play with Kylie while the other was holding Cameron so she wouldn't feel her baby brother was gettting all the attention.  Ella was ready to let us just leave her with Cameron.  She told us all we could eat dinner and she would watch and hold Cameron on her own.  Sam was wondering if he was big enough to walk around with him.  I am glad they felt so comfortable with him, just maybe a bit too comfortable. 
It was a great visit and we hear he is being such a good baby for his mom and dad. He is absolutely adorable.  We can not wait to get back and get our arms around him again soon!  Maybe this time he will even open his eyes for his aunt to get a peak. 

Quick Trip to Crown Center

Weekend of April 27th and 28th:

John was chosen to judge at a conference for medical residents to present projects that they have been researching.  The location of the conference was Kansas City so we decided to tag along and visit family.  After picking up Grandma Saturday afternoon we headed to Crown Center, where the conference was being held.  While John worked the rest of us played.  We had lunch at Fritz's, which is always a must, and then headed to the free exhibit in Crown Center.  It happened to be a little city set up where the kids could pretend to do different things.  It was a little young for Sam but there was one area where you throw a ball through holes that seemed to keep him pretty entertained.  Ella made a little friend and they ran around and had a blast!

When John finished his judging we headed back to my mom and dad's house.  Since John and I had not been to dinner to celebrate my birthay the kids stayed with my parents and we headed to the Plaza.  I am sure no one that knows us would be surprised to hear that we went to Houston's.  The food was delicious, as usual, but the service was less than we have come to expect.  Of course, it was prom night so the high schoolers were keeping our waitress pretty busy.   Not the best time for a quiet romantic evening. 

Sunday morning we went to church and spent a little time with Uncle Jono before heading back home.  It was a short visit but a nice one. 

Sam at Fritz's.  I was instructed to take the photo just as the train passed behind him. 

Ella and her little friend riding the bull! 

Cowabunga! 

I have been subbing every day at the kids' school and we have been out of town the last two weekends so the blog has gotten a little behind.  I need to fill you in about Sam's field trip to the Capitol Building in Jefferson City.   He learned a lot of interesting facts and took some good pictures to share with us about his experience.  It was fun to see the things that interested him and he chose to take photos of on the tour.  His favorite part of the tour was seeing a courtroom.  Not surprising, his favorite part of the whole day was lunch and time to play at the park with his friends.  He said he enjoyed the day but is not in a hurry to visit the Capitol anytime soon.  

Sam on the way to the Capitol. 

The Capitol Building in Jefferson City

Sam took many pictures of cannons and military uniforms.